Rep Power: 183

Because of a problem I described previously about engine noise/power loss issue.
I thought maybe it was the timing.
So I went to Canadian Tire and bought a timing light.

This is when I discover that the timing is off by about 1-1.5 cm between the timing mark on the crank pulley and the the mark on the engine block.

For a gap of 1-1.5cm, what do you guys think would cause that gap?
Timing belt not installed correctly? A tooth off?
Or could it be the timing belt tensioner?

I heard when the timing is off by a whole tooth, it's really something, like the car would not accelerate over 80km/h, but my car can go to 140km/h(haven't tried going over that, because I don't wanna get a ticket xD) without too much effort, sure takes some time, but it is possible.

Also, checking the timing that way, is it accurate?
This might sound stupid, but is there many ways to install a crank pulley. I thought maybe the previous timing belt replacement could have been done not correctly.

What bothers me is that, when I did my valve adjustment, I didn't check the TDC with the timing mark on the crank pulley. Instead, for the first cylinder, I aligned the cam pulley TDC grooves with the engine block (the UP mark point up of course) and I inserted a chopstick in the cylinder and rotated the crank pulley until the chopstick was at its highest point.

However, when I looked at the crank pulley, the marks weren't aligned, about the same gap. I thought maybe I didn't look at it at the right angle. That day I was more focus about doing the valve adjustment than checking the timing. What bothers me is that the cylinder was indeed at TDC, but I also notice there was some play, the cylinder would not move if I rotated the crank pulley just a tiny little bit for some time. Could it be that checking the TDC with chopstick in the cylinder is not accurate?

Damn, I only intended on writing just a little bit, turned out to be a novel haha xD Sorry guys.

Btw, any feedback on this?
Thanks

PS: Sorry I had to start another thread since I wasn't getting any answer.

 
Rep Power: 183

Come on guys =(
That number of views and no reply?

 
Rep Power: 187

You wanted some feed back so here it is, if you're really that concerned that timing is off, take everything off, (p.s. pump, alt., valve cover, upper timing cover, engine mount, crank pulley and lower timing belt cover) and check the crank timing mark against the block and the cam lined up to the top of the block at TDC.

That's sounds like the only way you will get peace of mind from what you're talking about and experiencing as far as your timing concerns go.

If you're off, reset it.

 
Rep Power: 183

Thanks for the reply.

Well, that's what I was going to do.
I'm quite worried about the timing belt not being installed correctly.
Besides I hear some vibration, I suspect the tensioner.
Also, does a timing belt being off of one or two teeth can cause valve noise even if it's not hitting the pistons?

Also, about the tensioner, do you have any idea how to adjust it?
Do we have to unbolt it partially? In a DIY, I saw two pins on the right side of the tensioner, should we squeeze them together so the tensioner can move? Although I did read the DIY, it's still unclear in my mind.

Really, thank you.
I appreciate your effort.

 
Rep Power: 367

return the timing light - you don't need them on 2001-2005 civics (your post is in 7th gen,o i imagine that's your car)
tensioner is held in place, you cannot adjust it.

 
Rep Power: 183

Does that mean the timing light serves no purpose at all in ours cars?
Not even to tell you if the timing is right or wrong?
I used the timing light and the timing wasn't right.
Well, actually, I can't return it, it's non-refundable, but only cost me about 50$.